Jora Vision, a leading design and production company, has built on previous successful collaborations with Vietnam’s Vinpearl with the introduction of the country’s first story coaster. Eagle Warrior is an indoor suspended family coaster, designed and produced by Vekoma Rides, the Dutch roller coaster specialist. It features a fully custom-designed creative concept by Jora Vision, produced by Unite Art.
The new ride can be found at Vingroup’s VinWonders Phú Quốc. This is one of Vietnam’s largest and most immersive theme parks, home to six different themed lands inspired by famous civilizations and ancient myths. Eagle Warrior is inside the park’s Adventure World zone, which takes guests back to the time of Mayan and Greek civilisations.
A true story coaster
As they set foot inside Adventure World, guests can see from a distance a mysterious Aztec Pyramid, within which is the complete indoor attraction including queue lines, pre-shows and the ride itself. The overall look of the show building is contemporary, with colourful decorations and patterns that are a far cry from typical ruins.
“Jora Vision was excited to showcase its creative skills to go beyond creating just a “theme” coaster,” says June Ren, managing director for Asia at Jora Vision. “Our aim was to really evolve Eagle Warriors into a true “story” coaster, the difference being that a story coaster brings visitors along for a plot – a beginning, middle, and end.
“Through these experiences, visitors need to disembark having played a role, in our case the journey of becoming an Eagle Warrior.”
The visitor experience
When they enter the pyramid, visitors are transported into a story-driven adventure. During the experience, they learn that during the Aztec empire there was an elite group of fearless soldiers within the Aztec army called Eagle Warriors. They then become recruits, embarking on the training needed to join this unique squadron.
Passing through areas such as the Battle Hall, Garden of Holy Water, Armours Path, Hero Hall and Chief’s Room, guests eventually come to the Temple of the Wind where they must face the last task: the Eagle’s Flight.
Here, a veteran in the Eagle Warriors explains the mission: to face the dangers of the Mythical realm and return safely to earth. Thus begins a journey full of spells, monsters and mysterious gods, including the serpent Quetzalcoatl. Thanks to the help of a priestess, visitors reach this perilous place and complete their spiritual journey. When they return, they are rewarded by becoming Eagle warriors themselves.
A compelling narrative
The visitor journey is brought to life using cutting-edge immersive lighting, themed environments, and special and practical effects, all wrapped up in a compelling narrative.
Ren concludes: “We are excited to see that more parks are showing interest in these types of rides embracing unique and meaningful (cultural) stories. Therefore, we are thrilled to announce that yet another creative collaboration between Vinpearl and Jora Vision will open end of this year. This being an elaborate 4.500 m2 immersive water boat dark ride, called “Tata World” for VinWonders Nha Trang. That is all I can share at this moment, but more will follow soon…”.
Jora Vision will be exhibiting next month at IAAPA Expo Europe. The firm will be at booth #3021 at ExCeL London from 13 – 15 September 2022.
Earlier this year, the company celebrated the opening of a major Portuguese museum experience, Quake Lisbon Earthquake Center. This opened in April 2022 following Jora Vision’s creative involvement spanning three years.
